Ever since Made in Chelsea first hit our screens, fans have wondered just how authentic the drama on the show really is.
The E4 show has delivered some iconic reality TV moments, like Spencer Matthews telling Louise Thompson, ‘How can I respect you when you allow me to cheat on you?’ and Zara McDermott begging Sam Thompson for forgiveness after her cheating came to light, but viewers often ask whether the show is scripted.
Rumours that the show isn’t quite as real as it appears have only been fuelled by former cast members dishing on how they were encouraged to ramp up the drama.
Earlier this year, Spencer claimed that producers rewarded the cast with financial bonuses for creating confrontation. He explained, ‘We were praised for creating drama.
‘In some cases, I'm sure I'll probably get into trouble for saying this, we'd be given bonuses if we created certain levels of drama. But then you get lost in this whirlpool of drama thinking you're just doing a good job.’
However, ahead of her return to reality TV on Beyond Chelsea, fellow OG cast member Rosie Fortescue has denied claims that the drama was set up.
‘The drama was created by the person who cheated on their boyfriend or who did something. It definitely wasn't like set up by producers,’ Rosie said.
‘Producers didn't set anything up at all, but obviously, you're watching a show that's constructed reality. So, the scenes are set up and it's edited really well [with] the music and the tension and the dramatics in that way, but it was very much real in the majority of the cases. I mean, I set some records straight on this show about stuff.’
Speaking about why she decided to return to reality TV for the first time in seven years, Rosie added, ‘I think for me, the show was shot very differently and it's not set up scenes like Made in Chelsea was.
‘It was a fun opportunity to do something a bit different. It wasn't all about the drama this time, it was just a good insight into our lives. And I think why not set some records straight as well?’
Beyond Chelsea starts on Tuesday 29 October at 10pm on E4 or stream on Channel 4.
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Nathan Katnoria is heat and Closer online's Senior Digital Writer. He's been a Made in Chelsea fan since the early days of the show and the moment Millie Mackintosh slapped Spencer Matthews is one of his favourite reality TV moments EVER. Nathan has interviewed lots of the MIC cast including Miles Nazaire, Tristan Phipps and Sam Vanderpump.